THEY COME.
1806-England.
In a countryside road of England two white horses galloped forwards. Two men in doublets and trousers rode on them. One was a Spaniard, while the other was from the East Indies. The Indian one approached the Spaniard and shouted.
“Brother! We should be near the inn where Joshua is awaiting us!”
“I'm not an idiot Sumit.”
“Hah! You are not for sure. The problem is you are too intelligent, you don't pay enough attention and forget things. Such a flaw is extremely detrimental, Manuel.”
“To hint you’d imply I, son of Pedro de Alcántara Téllez-Girón, brother of Francisco de Borja Téllez-Girón y Pimentel, has a flaw! Preposterous! I am the great patron of the Society for Human Rights, Savior of France and bringer of prosperity! Manuel the Virtuous, the modern Cicero!”
“And I'm Sumit Padhya, his brother in all but blood. So my word has preference over all those adulators.”
They held gazes for a moment before they burst out laughing.
“You’re right, my brother. I had forgotten where we were to meet Joshua.”
“Of course. There is a reason I administrate your affairs.”
“Sure. What was the inn called?”
“The Red Antlers, between London and Joshua’s summer house. We will travel back to London with them and attend the Society’s dinner party.”
“Can't we skip the last? I hate British parties, most high society parties actually. I'd rather dine among the whores in order to convince them to live a life with more dignity.”
“Do you believe yourself to be Jesus Christ? You are our face, the man who undermined the Jacobin and French Directory through letters and speeches written to the adequate people and distributed to rural areas. You instigated the 1993 revolts and funded the fall of the Directorate. You saved the Society from the brink of extinction by funding and reorganising it. You are the man who has managed to make Europe give greater rights to the lower classes. And you were only thirteen when it all began. You must be seen!”
“Thanks for reminding me of that. Of the 20,000 people killed in retaliation of the revolts. Of the fact that Napoleon is bringing war to Europe.”
“There would have always been war, Manuel. Hell, Napoleon actually promotes our interests by creating more equal laws!”
“Making our current objective of making the natives of the colonies full fledged citizens slow down by being associated with him.”
“And despite that we have managed to give normal citizens greater rights. Despite that we still have members in Britain, Spain, France, Portugal and Austria. Despite that we are doing good.”
“I know. I'm just bitter our work is being ralentized by his warmongering.”
“Do you really regret it all? All the people you saved from the guillotine? Without you many more priests would have been killed. Citizens guillotined. You even managed to save Marie Antoinette!”
“For a lot of good that’s done, Marie I mean. She has just grown so disillusioned she just hides in my villa all day.”
“But she’s alive, as many others are. You have achieved things people can't do in decades in just a few years. Beginning with your letter to Vendee when you were thirteen to this dinner for the rights of the colonies, passing through the Civil Rights. You have done a lot of good, focus on that not your failures.”
Manuel looked at Sumit for a moment before sighing and looking away.
“You always know what to say to cheer me up, Sumit.”
“You took me away from the streets all those years ago. I have watched you and followed you since those days in order to repay you. There is no better person for the job.”
A complicated expression appeared in Manuel’s face. After struggling for a few moments he was about to speak when Sumit shouted.
“Look there!”
In the horizon a small building appeared. It was the Red Antlers inn. They rode the rest of the way in silence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once they arrived they left their horses to the servants and entered the lobby. Once near the reception desk the man in charge of it rose to welcome them.
“Welcome to the Red Antlers. May I know your esteemed names?”
“This is Manuel de Alcántara, son of the 9th Duke of Osuna. I am Sumit Padhya, his right hand. We have an appointment with Joshua Faire, of the East India Company.”
The man bowed immediately but properly.
“We have been awaiting you. Let me lead you to their current location.”
“Lead on.” Said Sumit.
They were lead through several passages before they arrived to the left side of the building and went through a door. Beyond the door was a wooden little pavillion formed by pergolas. Within was a desk in which a middle aged man and two young women sat, drinking tea.
When the man saw them he rose to welcome them.
“Manuel! Sumit! Am I glad to see you two. Have you had a pleasant travel until now?”
“It certainly is now that we're with you Joshua.” Said Manuel before grabbing his hand on a handshake.
“We come bearing gifts for our host.” While saying this Sumit took a small but decorated box from his clothing and presented it. “To honour your daughter's engagement. Perfume, recently made with a new recipe. It is quite popular amidst Spanish ladies.”
Joshua took the box and then shook Sumit’s hand.
“I am grateful for it. Come on, I hope you remember my daughters.”
He guided them to the tea table. The two women rose to welcome them.
“Welcome Lord Manuel and sir Sumit.” Said the eldest before bowing.
“Thank you miss Daphne.”
Manuel and Sumit bowed back. The pleasantries were interrupted when the youngest jumped forward.
“Manuel! I am glad to see you.”
“No love for Sumit?”
“Of course Sumit, but Manuel tells better stories.”
“He does have a gift with tongues.”
“Abigail.” Chastised Joshua while frowning. “Mind your manners.”
“But they're friends.”
“That is no excuse for your rudeness.”
Abigail sighed and stepped backwards before making a perfect bow while making a polite smile.
“I am pleased to see you again, Lord de Alcántara, sir Sumit.” Her smile widened. “Is that enough, Father dearest?”
“No.”
“Blazes.”
“Language Abigail!” Said Daphne, scandalized.
“Please, like you are much better. Women are not supposed to read Newton, or ancient philosophy. That is for men.”
“Natural science should be learned by everyone.”
Joshua sighed in desperation.
“Dear Evelyn in Heaven, have I raised our daughters wrong?”
“Please Joshua. You encouraged them. What British gentleman teaches fencing, or men’s riding, or boxing to his daughters.” The mischievous smile in Manuel’s face was a great indicator of him fanning the flames on purpose.
“One concerned for their safety. What if a ruffian attacked them? They should know how to sever the manhood from his body.”
A silence spread at those words as Sumit gasped and crossed his legs. It kept on for a few seconds before Manuel rolled his eyes at him and gave a wry smile.
“Let’s ignore my right hand’s antics and have some tea.”
They moved to the table and sat down. The men began a conversation about the details of the dinner and the speakers that were to give speeches.
“None of them will be equal to you, Manuel. You are the best Orator I know.”
“Nonsense Joshua. I am a good rabble rouser. I can whip out a frenzy, or calm. Pride or regret. But this dinner requires for the attendants to be convinced long term, unlike what my honest speeches would do. Unfortunately I rely on the inner decency of people, and the East India Company has little of that.”
“I should feel insulted.”
“Speaking of which,” intervened Sumit, “what made you join the Society?”
Joshua looked at his daughters.
“My little angels. I realised that with my wife’s death and no male heir in sight it wouldn't be much longer until vultures came upon my household, seeking my fortune. I thus fight so even if my daughters are ruined they can live their lives with dignity. And I also fight so that it may never come to that by making women be considered equal to men.”
“Amen to gender equality.” Commented Sumit.
They all raised their tea cups at that.
“What about you two?”
“I was brought by my uncle to several of the colonies. The caste system of the colonies, as well as the general poverty of the Indias, convinced me something was wrong. That inequality was wrong. I saw them and grieved, every famished child, every beggar made my heart bleed.
I can't accept a world in which race or birth, or gender, determine one’s destiny. Everyone should be allowed the chance of living their lives as they wish. As long as it's not criminal that is.”
“I myself am not as dedicated as you two. I'm mainly here to repay Manuel from taking me from the streets of my home city and giving me a home.”
“He’s downplaying himself, he has always wanted to help people. Otherwise he wouldn't be doing this, I hope.”
“I would prefer if no more people were like me, living in the streets and stealing for a living. That is true but it's also true that I want to repay Manuel.”
Manuel grimaced as when Sumit had mentioned the same while on horseback, but this time he didn't try to speak. Joshua picked the conversation and brought a new topic.
“What do you think is the best way to achieve our goals.”
“Power is the first. Without power law can't be enforced. In order to get power we must either get better weapons and soldiers or sway people to our side. The first is impossible in our times so we must do the later.
As such we need the trinity of reform. First genuine and attractive ideals, that is not a problem for us. Second is discipline, we have all seen what unchecked ideals did to France. Discipline allows us to avoid extremism, enemy of all that is good.
In order to both show our ideals and keep people in check one thing is needed. The third part is a strong leader. A man that can both capture the hearts of the people, to set them on a fire of passion, and capable of shaming the crow, to lower the flames when they burn too bright and threaten to consume the cause. A man with the charisma and confidence to be a beacon. For now I'm filling this role.”
“And you are doing it so magnificently Lord Manuel.”
“Thanks for the compliment miss Daphne, I am glad that my hard work is showing results.”
“I actually think you missed something. We need charity and defense. If the people eat bread we gave them, if their safety is guaranteed by us they will follow our cause to the end. Our humanitarian efforts is what have bought us the hearts of the common man. We do need a strong leader, but that is for the powerful. Remember the little man, brother.”
“And that requires money. Good finances are the backbone of our Society, as your intervention showed. Before people like you or me came to the Society it was sinking. Money and a strong administration are key for any successful enterprise.” Added Joshua.
“We all have missed something, as shown by all of our answers. People with various skills and views. Together we are more efficient than divided. Diversity, unity and cooperation allow us to cover all of our bases. As the face of our Society I am blessed to have people that can advice me, and tell me what I have missed.”
Manuel looked to his fellows and smiled in satisfaction, they reciprocated his feelings. He then noticed that Abigail looked slightly bored.
“My apologies miss Abigail, this topic must not be of interest for a person divorced of politics like you. In repayment of my oversight I ask you to choose the next topic.”
Abigail perked up before she began thinking hard. Both Joshua and Daphne were amused by her earnesty, at least they were the only ones to show it.
“I know. What about one of your tales?”
“My tales? Let me think, history or mythology.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I have the perfect idea. In honour of miss Daphne’s coming wedding let us talk about love. But who to choose, one of the eight Aztec gods? The Greek two? The Egyptian five?”
“What about Kama’s tale?” Suggested Sumit.
“That’s a great idea. This is a story about Hindu gods, let us begin.
In ancient times the demon Tarakasura ravaged the land. His might so great that even the gods themselves trembled in his presence. The days were dark and hopeless until one day a prophecy appeared.
It spoke of how the son of Shiva, god of destruction, and Parvati, goddess of love and marriage, would be the one to defeat Tarasakura. The gods celebrated the news but terrible news reached them. Shiva was deep in meditation and his guardian Nandi didn't allow anyone through, even for the sake of defeating Tarakasura.
Indra, king of gods, seeked someone that could make love sprout between Shiva and Parvati. He found him in Kamadeva, god of desire and love, husband of Rati, goddess of love and lust. He convinced him to strike Shiva with one of his flowered arrows, that made love sprout in those they hit.
Kamadeva was swift in action. He went to Shiva’s residence, and evaded Nandi long enough to loosen his arrow. It flew true and stroke Shiva, awakening him from his meditation. But tragedy arose that day. Shiva’s fury was so great that when he opened his third eye, the Tryanbakam, fire spewed from it. Kamadeva was helpless before the might of the Destroyer and was incinerated.
Not all was lost, however. The second thing Shiva saw when he opened his eyes was the most beautiful sight he had ever witnessed. The goddess Parvati had followed Kamadeva. Shiva and Parvati began to speak and soon love bloomed between them. They had a son, Kartikeya, who went forth to battle Tarakasura and won.
The gods and the world were rid of that scourge and they rejoiced, but at the same time Kamadeva was grieved. Parvati took pity on him and appealing to Shiva she reminded him that Kamadeva was the one that had kindled their love. To great joy Shiva listened. Kamadeva was to be brought back, but as punishment he was to be immaterial.
Kamadeva’s rebirth happened, and his now formless essence spread through the cosmos, since then he was called Ananta. When it touched the mortals it influenced them, and brought them kama, desire. From that day on humans desired for pleasure, for satisfaction, for love.”
Silence spread after he had finished his story and Abigail shrugged.
“It isn't really all that romantic.”
“I think Victoria disagrees.” Said Daphne looking behind Abigail.
There stood a maid, enraptured by the story. When she realised they were looking at her she blushed and stated her business.
“Master Joshua, butler George wished for me to remind you that you wanted to ask something of Lord Manuel.”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Really? What was it?”
“He said that it was about the relief.”
“The relief! How could I ever forget? Manuel, Sumit, I recently acquired a intricate relief, but I don't know what it depicts. If it is of significance to the people that gifted it I would like to return it, if it isn't I want to sell it to the museum. But for that I need to know what it is.”
“Bring it then.”
Joshua nodded and looked to the door. There waited an older man of silver hair with some silk wrappings in his hand. When he saw his master beckon him he came.
He silently put the relief before Manuel, and unwrapped it. In it was depicted a man in meditation with a demon riding an elegant in front of him. It was made of stone but the man was painted with gold. The workmanship was detailed and exquisite, clear care was put into it. What it represented was obvious to Manuel.
“This is a relief of Gautama Buddha confronting the demon Mara and achieving enlightenment. Mara was a demon that tempted Buddha away from enlightenment by presenting his three beautiful daughters at him, as well as throwing thousands of demons at him.” Said Manuel. “Am I right Sumit?”
“You are the expert here not me, but I'd say you are right.”
“Then is it valuable?”
“Depends on age and…”
His words were brought short when a distortion appeared around the tablet. Just looking at it made his head hurt. But that became the least of his problems when a great suction came from the distortion.
If someone had been watching a bizarre spectacle would have been witnessed. All seven of them were stretched, as if made of gum, and pulled within the tablet.
Soon afterwards their disappearance was noticed. A great upheaval resulted, with many being accused of being responsible. They became martyrs to the cause, that grew in fervour and became successful. But everyone forgot about the relief. It passed hand through hand until it reached a certain attic where it lay for two centuries, unperturbed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In another place, where no starlight. In another place, beyond the stars. In another place, where nightmares roamed. In another place, where sanity broke, THEY awoke.
In ancient times, before the Age of Bronze, THEY had looked at a small planet, and THEY had hungered. The weak tribes of Humanity had fallen easily before them, but THEY were thwarted. The wizards of Humanity sacrificed Magic and creating a barrier that kept THEM at bay. THEY could no longer enter the material plane, but THEY were long lived and patient.
THEY waited for millennia. But not all of THEM were equal, some were lesser and foolish. The Veil was weakening, with nary a century left. One of the lesser ones grew impatient and tried to break through the Veil before the time had come.
SHE/HE/IT/THEY was one of corruption, one that tempted humans into depravity. She saw her opportunity in a relic, a object of worship depicting a corrupter like THEY/SHE/IT/HE. It was near pure ones with great power, HER/HIS/THEIR/IT’S favoured prey, as such while there many other such relics she chose that one.
SHE/HE/IT/THEY pierced the the Veil and made the relic it's home. She began to absorb the outside world into HER/HIS/THEIR/IT’S realm. Thankfully the time had not yet come. The Veil detected HE/IT/SHE/THEY and sealed her in the mask.
There HE/SHE/THEY/IT slumbered for centuries. Only to wake up when the Veil broke. But even then those she attempted to corrupt would prove to be THEIR/IT’S/HIS/HER undoing. For THEY were mighty, THEY were foreign, THEY were beyond man, but THEY were still pawns in the god’s plans. And THEY were the enemy to be hunted in this tale.
Poor THEM, made to be hunted. Poor THEM, made to lose. Poor THEM, who didn't know of THEIR end. Poor THEM, that were destined to lose.
And lauded be the heroes that vanquish THEM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“A pity about Manuel. Had he remained for longer he could have become an S differential. I hope you learned from your oversight, sister.”
“No need to gloat.”
“Look it another way. Now when they escape that seal they will be heroes of the new world.”
“Truly?”
“Look at their simulated attributes.”
“This is going to be incredible. How will the world develop?”
“That is what we seek to know.”
“““For our perfect World.”””
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For some reason Manuel felt sluggish, he had trouble thinking. He was trying to remember where he was when the woman in front of him called out to him.
"Manuel are you alright?"
"Huh?"
"Remember me? We were talking about the terms of our contract."
"Contract?"
"I offer you the power you need to fulfill your vision, to make your dreams a reality."
That made him focus a little, but he still couldn't think clearly. His head swayed gently and his eyes lost and gained focus constantly, but he did manage to formulate a question.
"What is the price?"
"I just want you to do me a favour and give me a human heart from a criminal a day. We were about to seal the contract, remember?"
Manuel's head jerked to the right and then upwards.
"I don't know, owing an undefined favour seems bad."
"Nonsense, why would it be bad?"
"Because of anemones! No that makes no sense." He managed to gain his bearings for a moment. "Because you could ask for a something that would break the cause. Like a massacre. I'd have the power but the people wouldn't listen."
"Why do you need for the people to listen? With my power you would be able to rule and impose your order. People would obey you and love you. Your rule would bring happiness to all."
"That's not true." His head jerked backwards and he stared at the ceiling for a minute. "People don't like to be forced, even if my rule was for the good they would oppose me. They would disobey and rebel, even if they'd be worse as a result. People like to be the masters of their own destiny, and abhor tyrants."
"But you could eliminate them. Leave only those who agree and raise the future ones to understand your ideal. Eternal happiness with only a few sacrificed to reach it. Sacrifice one for a thousand. Isn't that for the greater good?"
"No, I don't think so. Your logic is sound, I could really leave only those that agree with me. But that seems inhuman, not worth it. I know I can't satisfy everyone but I'll be damned if I don't make a world where everyone can be happy. I won't give up on people, ever. I won't sacrifice people for my dream, that would make it worthless."
"That is impossible."
"In my life sure it is. But if the cause remains after me, if the world changes through what I began, we may just succeed. I don't want to make the world perfect, that's unfeasible, I just want to make the best world I can."
"I can give you the power to make the perfect world. I can give you the world."
"What is the point of gaining the world if you lose yourself? The end doesn't justify the means. Furthermore, even if it did I can only make a world as perfect as I am, and I am quite flawed. What you suggest is no perfect world, it is but a delusion of one. A twisted image of my vision. A corruption of it."
As Manuel spoke his eyes gained clarity and his body began obeying him. Seeing this the woman smiled and conceded.
"Let's forget the favour then. I only asked for the hearts of condemned criminals. Those that would have been executed otherwise."
Manuel thought about it. He didn't see a problem with that, if they were going to die either way. He was about to agree when something deep within him rebelled. Something very important to him screamed against her proposition.
"But I don't believe in the death penalty. Everyone should get a chance to regret and repent. To kill someone if you can't apprehend them is a necessary evil. To fight to your fullest and that causing deaths is understandable. But if you have them so restrained that they can't resist what is the point? Just get them away from others until they learn to live without harming others. And if that never happens then it is a shame, but we don't take the choice away."
"Then just give me the hearts of those who can't be redeemed. Those so evil their deeds can't be pardoned."
"Hmm."
Manuel thought hard, something seemed amiss but it eluded him. His thoughts were interrupted when a loud voice rang through the room.
"Everyone listen! Don't be deluded by his words! Think of what his purpose is!"
George's voice resonated within Manuel's head clearing it.
"That is correct. There are two problems. First, what do you gain from this. Second, who chooses what is unpardonable? The Jacobins believed their executions to be righteous, if I accepted your offer what would stop me from ending like them? You phrased it differently but your offer didn't change.
As for your motives, what do you gain? If it is power then I might be damning myself, since our deal doesn't include a clause that impedes you from attacking me or my regime."
"Damn that old goat." The woman said scornfully. "But this changes nothing, you can't leave until you agree to my deal."
He looked back to the door of the study and raised an eyebrow.
"I see the exit right there."
When he turned back to the woman she had disappeared. He looked back to the door and the woman was there, blocking the way. She smiled smugly at him, obviously daring him to go through her.
Manuel took a deeper look at his surroundings then, hoping to see an alternate exit. He noticed his surroundings were foggy, clouded. He couldn't see far, only the desk, the door and the woman were clear. From behind where the woman sit there're was a window through which he witnessed a dark cavern, while light flowed through the hinges of the door. Manuel smiled in comprehension.
"So you have blocked my way."
"Indeed."
"Quite cunning I say."
"Not really, it was the obvious thing to do."
"Yes, but blocking a false way while leaving the true way out unguarded was cunning. Above all when reality is uglier than a dream."
Midway through his speech he jumped over the desk and went through the glass.
He found himself in the middle of a void. Except it was less void and more formless. It was a space filled with possibilities, where everything could happen unrestrained by common sense. His body cried in agony, the formless energy that filled the space flowed into him and warped him. His body burned as the limits of what he could handle were touched. But he was saved from destruction, reality called to him and brought him away from this bizarre realm of everchanging possibilities, where Common Sense and logic failed.
Before he returned to reality he looked around and saw his companions, except George, in the same situation he was until now, barred from leaving by a web of deceit, similar yet different from his. He understood what George had done, and what he needed to do.
"Everyone! The way is free, only barred by lies! Reality is darker than dreams!"
That was all he could say, for he didn't know what they saw. His control slipped when his body began to dissolve and he was thrown back to reality.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Manuel fell upon the hard and cold stone floor. He looked upwards and saw George.
"Talk you later, this must be experienced to be believed." Said George quickly.
"Wha-"
His query was interrupted by a transition to a dark space. He floated in it but he didn't feel scared, but warm. He looked around and saw the statues of three women, coming to him. Except they weren't statues but actual beings. They quickly came unto him and disappeared in his chest.
It was then that something nonsensical happened.
Earth-S-29678413-L-R first period complete.
Difference depth compared to Earth Prime: C: Minor differences.
Napoleonic wars were unchanged.
Colony natives were given equal rights.
World War I was unchanged.
The colonies independiced less bloodily.
Worl War II ended in 1943.
Jews were persecuted less harshly, with many people guarding and hiding them.
Reduction of overall world racism and class difference avoided many massacres and Genocides.
Human Rights are more widespread and accepted.
Many terrorists do not exist.
Overall history events unchanged by 2006.
Change direction: A-Good.
Rewards given to earthlings for their good grade:
D individuals. Those that didn't participate in the changes. +1 to all stats.
C individuals. Those that were part of the change but could be substituted by anyone and performed minor roles. +5 to all stats.
B individuals. Those that performed major roles but werent vital enough to be remembered for it. +10 to all stats.
A individuals. The heroes of the change. Those immortalised in history as great men and performed vital functions. +15 to all stats.
S. The single most important person to the change. +30 to all stats.
You are an A individual. +15 to stats.
"Huh?" Said Manuel intelligently. "World wars? Genocide? 2006?"
Confusion detected.
Begining rough historic overview.
World War I. The war between imperial powers that caused the decline of the imperial system and was the bloodiest war to that point.
The colonies independiced during the 20th century.
World War II. The Second World War. The nazis and soviets created concentration camps, breaking many human rights agreements done during the 19th century.
Genocide. The act of massacring a particular subset of the population.
2006. The year when the Veil broke and the Foreign Ones began the invasion of Earth.
It is now 2038 and Humanity only survives in cities while the governments despair and try to retain as much control as possible.
The System was implemented ten days ago. Humanity can strike back now.
"That doesn't help much."
Manuel tried to come to terms with the jump in time, as well as these bizarre screens, but he was failing. He was on the verge of a panic attack when the screens continued.
In order to use the System and magic you must connect with the Fayd.
Error: Fayd connection already stablished.
Fayd infection detected.
Fayd infection deemed benefitial.
Fayd infection has altered the host's physiology and nature.
Analising host.
Manuel guessed that the Fayd was that weird space he was in before. The thought that it had changed him made him uneasy.
Host Species: Human-Spirit.
Human: Standard Earth Race.
Spirit: A Fayd composed creature that represents a concept.
Host's Spirit information and traits:
Domains: Universal Unconditional Love(Agape), Power, Leadership. Larval stage.
Your Power alignment gives you +15 strength, +15 intelligence.
My power is for the people.
Your Leadership alignment gives you +20 charisma.
Together we're unstoppable.
Your Universal Unconditional Love(Agape) gives you the Inner Beauty trait.
I love you because you are.
Inner Beauty: You are beautiful inside. So is your outside. +30 charisma as long as you remain of Good alignment. -30 charisma if you turn to Evil alignment.
Your three domains coalesce into your self. You gain Flawless Body.
Flawless Body: +10 to physical stats. +5 to mental stats. +10 to charisma. +10% resistance to mental status ailments. +20% resistance to physical and magical status ailments.
Advancement routes.
1. Fayd connection.
2. Reality core.
3. Reactor.
"I'm half spirit now? And what does it mean by advancement and larval?"
Lifestyle tutorial:
Lifestyle is both a way of life and an accomplishment. You can only have one at a time and it offers benefits. They have rarities. They are earned.
Normal(N) rarity. +7 stats.
Uncommon(U) rarity. +14 stats. +1 Skill Trees.
Rare® rarity. +21 stats. +1 Skill Trees. +2 Traits.
Super Rare(SR) rarity. Non standard massive gains.
Legendary(L) rarity. Non standard colossal gains
Analising life.
Lifestyle mastered. Imperial Spain Noble®.
Imperial Spain Noble®:
You have been taught how to lead, how to speak, how to behave. +7 charisma. Elegance Trait.
You have the best education that can be offered by Imperial Spain. +7 intellect. Riding Skill Tree.
Your family has survived for centuries and prospered. +1 to all stats. Old Blood Trait.
Lifestyle mastered. Imperial Reformist(SR).
Imperial Reformist(SR):
You have studied the cultures that compose the Empire. Gain access to the Skill Trees of all civilisations that form or were conquered by the Spanish Empire. Gain Human Understanding Trait.
You have learned how to convince people. Gain Orator Skill Tree. Gain Silver Tongue Trait.
Your two lifestyles have synergy: Acquired trait Imperial Privilege
Trait earned:
Imperial Privilege: Once every 5 levels from level 0 gain access to a single Skill Tree that combines the best of each civilisations version of that Skill Tree.
Silver Tongue: People are more likely to listen and understand your words.
Human Understanding: You are more likely to understand the motivations of humans.
Elegance: People who respect elegance and education will feel more comfortable around you.
Old Blood: Gives resistance to time distortions.
"What are Skill Trees?"
Beginning Class Selection.
Best Class selected.
Imperial Tercios Soldier: Masters of spear and sword or gun and sword these soldiers were once renowned across Europe.
+ 15 Dexterity, +5 Strength, +10 Vitality, +10 Sanity.
+3 Dexterity, +1 Strength, +2 Vitality, +2 Sanity per level.
Grants Passive Skills: Swordsmanship D, Gunmanship D, Tercian Resolve A.
Swordsmanship D: Grants basic swordsmanship knowledge. +5% damage with swords.
Gunmanship D: Gains basic gunmanship skills. +5% damage with guns.
Tercian Resolve A: The Tercian were highly regarded for their discipline in the battlefield. Even when suffering massive losses they never retreated nor surrendered. +50% resistance to mental status effects.
Grants Active Skills: Power Shot D, Power Sword D, Rousing Resolution B.
Power Shot D: Next shot from a gun deals 50% more damage. 5 MP
Power Sword: Next attack with a sword deals 50% more damage. 5 MP
Rousing Resolution: Buffs all allies for +10% damage to enemies, +50% Health regeneration and +10 Sanity, +15% mental resistance. 20 MP.
"Class?!"
Name: Manuel de Álcantara Species: Human/Spirit Lifestyle: None Class: Imperial Tercios Soldier Level 0 Next level 0/100 Exp Health: 460 MP: 205 Strength: 56 Dexterity: 51 Vitality: 46 Speed: 36 Intelligence: 53 Sanity: 41 Charisma: 78 Unspent stat points: 0 Unspent skill points: 0 Resistances: Mental status resistance: 75% Physical status resistance: 20% Magical status resistance: 20%
With the last screen came understanding, he now knew what everything meant. What a class was, what stats meant. Stats were pretty much what they said they were except for Intelligence that upgraded magic damage, Dexterity that in addition to the obvious increased gun and crossbow damage and along with strength bow and dagger damage, and Sanity.
Sanity was apparently the ability to remain sane when in strange and traumatic circumstances. The Fayd caused madness in beings from reality, so Manuel could only use as much Fayd as his Sanity allowed. Because of this it determined MP, MP regeneration at a Sanity/5 rate and magical defence. Vitality was similar in that it determined Health, health regeneration at a Vitality/10 rate, and physical defence.
He was slightly bothered by his high Charisma, he knew he had high charisma normally, but this one went beyond his skills. This one not only increased his actual appearance but it also gave him a instinctive body language and voice modulation skills. And at high levels it gave him a literal supernatural aura that made him more attractive to others. It was the last one that bothered him.
Finally he knew that the System gave all humans an standard 10 base stats in all of his status. At 10 the individual would be average in the former world. Experience was acquired by defeating beings from the Fayd or Fayd contaminated.
When he finished digesting the news a new screen appeared. It directed him to finish the combat tutorial.
"And where do I do that?"
As if answering him a stone passage appeared in the darkness. He was lead to an arena where an ugly green humanoid being appeared. It was tall with four arms but thin and malnourished. More importantly it didn't have a face, only a lamprey mouth. The System identified it with a handy overhead name and level. It said that it was a Lesser Eater and was level 1.
When it saw Manuel it rushed at him. Manuel, who suddenly found himself with a sword and a bizarre gun he somehow knew to use, took off the safety of the device and began shooting at the creature. He shot it eight times before it arrived near him, hitting its shoulders and elbows. With its arms impaired Manuel had little trouble in using his sword to decapitate the beast, reducing its health to the red. Manuel was startled by the revelation that he could see both his health Andrew MP and his enemies health. He saw the health as green bars and MP as blue bars. However under his own he noticed numbers separated by a number.
His distraction cost him for the beast was not dead. It tackled him but did little, its strength meant for people in the tens or twenties status. Berating himself for his foolishness Manuel decided to end the battle there and then.
"Power Sword!"
The effect was obvious, he bisected his opponent in half in a single swing. With time to breathe he noticed the left numbers in his bars had decreased by 1 and 5. He understood that it signaled his current and maximum for those stats.
A fanfare sounded in his ears.
You have reached level 1!
+12 stat points. +1 Skill point.
Please allocate your points.
Swordmanship D has evolved into Swordmanship D+++. Use skill points to increase it further.
Gunmanship D has evolved into Gunmanship D+.
Something stirs within you.
Your spirit side has grown.
+1 strength, +1 intelligence, + 5 charisma.
Manuel sighed, weary from this madness, and put all of his points in vitality since he never had too little of those. His eyes where blinded by a flash and he found himself back in the stone cavern.
"So that's how it looks from this side." Commented George.
Manuel simply looked at him tiredly, asking without speaking.
"You shone for a moment and then looked tired."
Manuel nodded, that meant not much time hadn't passed since he escaped. He looked around as his other fellows appeared from thin air and fell to the floor. They, as he had, shone for a moment and then looked around in confusion.
Joshua was about to speak when a message appeared before all of them.
Quest acquired!
Destroy Immalant the Corrupter.
You managed to avoid Immalant's corruption but are still sealed along him. Destroy him in order to escape.
Difficulty: C.
Rewards: Escape from the seal. Spirit will advance to the infant stage.